Swartz Creek parents show off their babies at Hometown Days Festival

SWARTZ CREEK, MI – Maverick Mowinski was striking a pose before he could even walk.

Mowinski's mother Megan, entered the 4-month old in the Swartz Creek Hometown Days Festival's Beautiful Baby Contest, Sunday June 1. The Byron resident hoped her husband's charisma had already rubbed off on their first son.

"His dad's a show off, so I think he has a good chance," Megan Mowinski said. "Maverick has a strong personality. This is a good opportunity to do something fun on Sunday afternoon."

At least 60 children entered the contest And their families packed a tent at the festival, held in Kincaid Park in Swartz Creek on the last day of the festival.

The pageant was part of the Hometown Days Festival, a four-day event in Swartz Creek that features carnival rides and other events such as a hot-wing eating contest and car show.

Several local non-profits and organizations sponsor events, and look to raise funds for various projects.

Showing their young children off to a panel of judges, parents dressed their babies in costumes and pint-sized formal attire all in hopes of having the most beautiful baby at the fair.

Will Hanson, a father from Swartz Creek, also hoped the event would teach his 12-month-old daughter, Sydney, to be comfortable in large social settings.

"It teaches her to be in front of people, to not be shy," Hanson said. "It's her first competition, and we want to show off her personality. Plus, it's nice out."

Registration for the competition was free, and every attendee received a free bucket and bubble soap. Winners received gift baskets filled with toys, along with a trophy noting the age group, and place won.

Babies were judged in four age groups: newborn to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months. Entrants were judged based on first impression, appearance and personality.

Dave Hicks was at the event taking portraits of the children competing. He was glad to not have to make the tough decision as to which baby was most beautiful.

"It's very difficult to judge," he said. "They're all so cute. The moms dress them up really well. New moms really like to show their babies. All the moms want to think they have the cutest baby."

Chairman of the event Laura Poffenbarger said the event has been hosted at the fair for about 10 years. This year it was sponsored by Brandi's Place Early Learning and Childcare Center in Swartz Creek.

Poffenbarger was also glad to not be on the panel, and have to choose from the adorable children.

"This gets the children involved with our community," she said. "They act silly, or talk to the judges. I couldn't judge. We get a lot more personality from the older kids. They're all winners."